The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-02-09
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS.

We queue Cuo 1OllO" l lfOIl Il
leading editorial in the Biblical Re-
corder on the Farmers Convention.
1t is a comprehensive and thought
full view of the situation and will
commend itself to the careful con-
sideration of men who have the WEI
fare ofthe State and people at heart.
The writer is ons of the. best in
formed men in theState, thoroughly
acquainted with North Carolina and
her people, which gives weight to
his words when he utters them.
Read what he|says: y.
"Among the important and sig
%nificant events ofthe past few weeks,
the two conventions of farmers held
in this city are specially worthy of
notice. Both Of these meetings
were largely attended-much more
so than even the most interested of
our people eXpected-and strange
as it may seem, the views expressed
and embodied in the resolutions
adopted by the two bodies we're the
same, or so nearly SO as not to attract
Spoclal nOClce.
For many years the farmers of
this State have quietly left all public
matters in the hands of a few men
who held positions ofhonor or profit,
and who planned campaigns and
made laws. But either because
this is the day of organizations, or
because of the fact that the interests
of the farmers were neglected, they
have determined to at least make
an honest effort to unite their forces
and better their condition by SO
shaping the Legislation of the State
as to render it friendly to their
interests. They have now organ
lied The Farmers Association OF
North Carolina, with a constitution,
an organ and officers, and will hold
annual sessions. What all this
will ultimately lead to no man at
this early stage can predict. That
it will lead to good results we con
fidently believe. The farmers arc
the best and most moral class of our
people. Their aims and designs,
however mistaken they may some
times be, are all honorable and for
the best interests Of the State. They
are patriotic, honest and true
citizens, and as such we bid them
God speed in all they undertake
for the improvement of their condi-
ton.
"For many years the farmers of
the State have failed to see benefits
of the Department Of Agriculture
commensurate with its cost. And
it is safe to say that the average
farmer in the State has never deriv-
ed any benefit from the Department.
This has led to great and widespread
opposition to the Department. So
much SO that the Department will
of necessity have to be re-organized
and brought closer to the farmers of
the State. Then, too, they have
never been exactly satisfied with
the disposition made of the Land
Scrip given by the general gov
eminent for the establishment of
Agricultural Colleges. This fund
they ask to be appropriated to the
establishment of an Agricultural
and Mechanical College. There is
possibly not a farmer in North
Carolina who wishes to see a horde
of foreigners settled in the State.
They cordially welcome people
from the other States, and would be
glad to have as neighbors men and
women from NewYork, Pennsylvania
&c, but the Irishman from Ireland,
or the Crofter from Scotland, d. the
brigand from Italy, they do not
want, and are unwilling to spend
thousands of dollars a year in
importing these people to our
shores.
1.-THE farmers who attended these
meetings were, in the main, tillers
of the soil-men of large experience
and larger common sense. 1t was a
remarkable assemblage of remark
able men; unschooled and unaeeus-
toned to public speaking many OF
them were, and yet some of these
men made speeches of equal force
and sense to any recently delivered
in our National Legislature